6 Ways to Respond Faithfully in the Fire
- Annie Yorty Crosswalk Contributing Writer
- Published Jul 20, 2023
There's a reason I go to Siberia in the winter. I detest hot weather. I avoid sweating at all costs.
I learned of a custom called banya during my many visits to Russia. Banya is a wood-burning sauna with scorching hot air. The banya cleansing ritual involves alternatively baking in the oven, rinsing in cool water, and drinking kvass. Some also throw in a little snack of dried, smoked fish. To stimulate better circulation, the natives encourage self-flagellation with birch branches. The most committed finish with a roll in the snow in minus forty degrees temperatures. All this promotes good health.
I have participated in banya under the "when in Rome" philosophy. The dry heat of the sauna is oppressive, unlike anything I've ever experienced—even in the Arizona desert. I'm pretty sure it burned out all the hairs in my nostrils. One would think adding water to the fire would relieve the intensity, but the super-charged steam almost fogs the lenses of your eyeballs.
I've experienced enough banya to know I would never want to be in the furnace where King Nebuchadnezzar threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
In their story, found in the book of Daniel, they are confronted with a difficult choice, though they made it look easy. The king built a skyscraper-sized gold statue and commanded everyone to worship it. Those who refused would be thrown into a furnace to be burned alive.
The three young Jewish men feared and worshiped Almighty God, so they refused to kneel before the dazzling idol.
When they came under the accusing scrutiny of the king, they gave a confident reply.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18 NLT)
This bold answer landed them in a literal fire.
Nebuchadnezzar super-heated the blaze so it would be seven times hotter. Then he bound the three men and tossed them into the furnace. The casual observer might wonder why the people who stuck to their godly principles would wind up in the fire. But God's ways are much higher and different than our ways. He accomplished more than we could imagine in Nebuchadnezzar's fire.
The king watched his three victims in the furnace, assuming they would immediately incinerate. But something unexpected happened.
"Look!" Nebuchadnezzar shouted. "I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!" (Daniel 3:25 NLT)
6 Ways to Respond in the Fire
Along with the banya, which was self-inflicted, I have experienced many fiery trials of life. I'm sure you're not immune, either. Jesus told us we would experience troubles of all kinds in this life (John 16:33).
Let's study the text of the third chapter of Daniel to discover how to respond when the heat is on.
1. Devote yourself to following God before the temperature rises.
The book's first chapter explains how Daniel, along with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were exiled from their home as part of the spoils of war when the Babylonians conquered Judah. When they arrived in Babylon, the king changed their names and groomed them for service in his court. Daniel and his friends accepted the name change but resisted breaking God's commands about food. They respectfully asked to maintain their Jewish eating habits.
Though barely grown, these four young men devoted themselves to following God. By the time Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the golden statue, obedience to God had become a habit. In the same way, we must practice faithfulness to God in the small annoyances and difficulties of life to prepare for the greater trials that will surely come.
2. Do not compromise in the face of danger.
There's more than a whiff of jealousy in this story. Some of Nebuchadnezzar's leaders were envious of the high position of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They watched them like hawks ready to swoop in at the slightest impropriety. When the crowd standing around the ninety-foot statue bowed to the ground, the jealous ones had no trouble spotting the three men left standing. They immediately tattled to the king.
That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up. (Daniel 3:11-12 NLT)
I might have been tempted to play hooky from idol worship that day. Maybe call in sick. But not our bold three. They obeyed the king's command to gather but could not follow his worship decree.
I'd like to have that kind of holy courage. I want to be strong enough to stick my head above the crowd where I might become a target. We can only accomplish this feat through the power of the Holy Spirit as we fully offer ourselves to God.
3. Fear God, not people.
King Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage, and the three were dragged before him. The furnace was already fired up and waiting for a victim. Talk about pressure! Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered unequivocally.
But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up. (Daniel 3:18 NLT)
I hope we can all say, "Even if." Those powerful words remind us that we should follow God's ways no matter what comes. Even if it makes no sense. Even if there's a bad consequence. Even if the unthinkable happens.
4. Speak confidently and respectfully to power.
The heroes of this story stood on solid ground with God and refused to comply with a sinful edict. But they also honored God when they respected Nebuchadnezzar. They used his name and called him "Your Majesty" several times, even as they declined to worship the statue.
Likewise, when we stand out from the crowd for our choices, we should treat all people with dignity as image-bearers of God.
5. Submit to the consequences of following God.
The first time Daniel and his friends stood up for their convictions, it worked out well. The king elevated them as leaders in the provinces. This time, they had a different result.
The same is true for us. We can't assume dogged obedience to God will prosper us in the way the world defines prosperity. We won't always be safe when we follow His Spirit in the way the world defines safety. Yet God promises eternal rewards for those who honor Him in this life. We can stake our lives upon His faithfulness.
6. Enjoy freedom found in the presence of God.
Nebuchadnezzar couldn't believe his eyes when he saw four people walking around in the fire after he threw in only three. He recognized the fourth as God. With wonder, he exclaimed that the ropes he had used to bind them had disappeared.
What freedom did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego experience? Can you imagine them strolling with God through the fire, admiring all the hues of the flames? All the while, they were cool and comfortable. The blaze couldn't touch them with God by their side.
What about you? Have you experienced freedom in the fire with God by your side? When you willingly follow Him through the trials of life, He will use the fire to burn off any hindrance that shackles you.
A Warning from the One Who Experienced the Fires of Hell
Jesus knew all about hell. After He died on the cross, He descended into the fiery depths for three days until the Father resurrected Him. Based on His knowledge, He warned His disciples whom to fear as He sent them out to do His work. Noting that responses to their gospel message would often be hostile, he reprioritized their thinking.
Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28 NLT)
His message still applies to us today. God calls us to obedience, even if it lands us in the fire.
When Nebuchadnezzar realized his error, he called Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego out of the fire. I wonder if they felt reluctant to leave the side of their Savior.
My friends, do not fear the fire. We will most intimately experience God's presence, provision, and freedom within the flames.
Photo credit: ©SWN
